He planned to make Eurovision fans move on Thursday evening with the reveal of his Eurovision 2017 song during a special broadcast on Israel’s IBA.
But on Thursday afternoon Imri Ziv‘s banger “I Feel Alive” leaked online, getting Europe moving a few hours earlier. You can listen to Israel’s Eurovision 2017 song here.
As expected, Imri has gone with an upbeat and uplifting song with Oriental / Mizrachi touches. But this is much more than a regional song. The contemporary production builds beautifully, melding Middle Eastern flavour with on-trend electro sounds. Its Israeli flair — which worked very well for Nadav Guedj — will stand out in a year heavy on ballads and mid-tempo songs, suggesting that Israel stands a good shot of making the Top 10.
Thematically the song sees Imri drawn to someone who always leaves him feeling broken — but also alive. As he says: “Breaking me to pieces, I want you to know every piece broke from you…” That tension plays out well in the music, which is at once tense but invigorating. “I Feel Alive” gives us life!
In the past we’ve expressed concern that Imri feels somewhat guarded on stage. This song — with its heavy beat and infectious dance sound — should help him break free from his shell. The thumping sounds and raucous instrumentation will also help mask any shortcomings in Imri’s vocals.
The video, which we suspect was funded partly by the Tel Aviv tourist board, showcases the romance and beauty of sun-soaked Israel. We see Imri cruising in a car as beautiful young people walk from beach to city to bar. In a nod to his Eurovision experience we even see Imri sitting at a bar and watching footage of Nadav Guedj and Hovi Star, and a reel of him competing on The Next Star for Eurovision.
Imri’s “I Feel Alive”
Following Imri’s victory on “The Next Star for Eurovision 2017”, IBA convened a special committee with members of the IBA, Keshet Broadcasting and the IPBC. They received dozens of songs from a wide array of songwriters but ultimately went with “I Feel Alive”. Apparently it was giving them life too.
The song comes from Israeli songwriters Dolev Ram and Penn Hazut, who have previously worked with some of Israel’s most prominent artists, including Sarit Hadad, Eyal Golan, Eden Ben Zaken and Noa Kirel.
What do you think of Imri’s song? Does it make you move? Do you think Israel is headed to the Top 10? Let us know in the comments box below.
Why is this so underrated?! I love this song, can’t wait to see it on stage!
Not bad but… too forgettable and ordinary. Nothing wow. It is not in my top 10.
I’m pretty sure they will qualify but in the grand final it won’t do so well
Israel’s song much better than Italy by far, i saw the live performance of italy and its bad..imri will be at top 5 for sure. Obssesd with this song 🙂 i feel a live slayyyyy
This is really middle-of-the-road affair. I might even say it’s a bad song… But Imri is a incredibly likeable guy, and he really seems to be putting his heart into it, which does count for something. He doesn’t stand a chance against the likes of Italy and Belgium though. Armenia looks ready to lay down some slayage, too.
I like the song a lot! So far, only Hungary, Denmark, Italy, Australia and now Israel have songs I like. All others are either mediocre/forgettable or bad.
Meh… I listen to it, I’m like “Ok, not bad” but that’s it. It doesn’t really do anything for me. It’s too bad cause I watched a couple of YouTube videos of this guy, and man he can sing! He’s got the looks too.
He gives me an “O’g3ne” feeling: talended artist but the entry could have been a 1000 times better…
Its Okay. Not bad. But nothing special either. Too generic for my taste, but of course his looks will help. I have to say, this bridge is nice but I can’t even remember the rest of the song.
Lyrics are among the worst this year but the composition and production….bliss! Imri sounds quite good, but we’ll have to hear it live to properly judge his vocals. Unlike last year, the televise will get behind Israel, with the jury holding him back.
love it! it sounds a littel autotuned tho. curious how it will sound live.
p/s: all these leaks happening this year are killing me lmao
“eurovisional” – a nice new word. Thank you Shali! 🙂
Listen….im so liking it, this is refreshing, likeable and so eurovisional, thats how we want eurovision to sound like….well done Israel
@Purple Mask – No worry, I miscount things all the time! I’d like if all 43 countries are in. I sympathize with Russian artists. Whoever is sent will have to go through a lot of negativity. Last 3-4 years, all Russian artists have been booed just because their country is autoritharian. And this time, it’s in Kiev, so make that by tripple. My advice would be sending a seasoned artist, because big-eyed 16-year-old could have their dreams squashed in a heartbeat. I haven’t heard news from Ireland, but I really, really hope their song is great. I want to see… Read more »
@Colin: Haha. Actually it’s because i’m terrible at counting! 😀
13 entries remaining then, hmmm.
If any country might pull out, it might be Russia, especially after Kirkorov told Channel ONE to boycott this year. But that broadcaster has a history of being stubborn, so they’ll probably submit something anyhow. We’ll see.
San Marino have confirmed a duet, so they should be okay now. But you never know.
Ireland? Brendan Murray; any news? That’s the only non-news country at the moment, unless you count Brendan’s Instagram page as news, LOL. 🙂
@Purple Mask – Do you maybe have info on sudden withdrawal of someone? Maybe Russia because of the politics or San Marino for financial reasons? I haven’t heard anything and count 43, but can we indeed predict a last minute exit? =-O
@Purple Mask – Isn’t it 13 more? Four of which have finals in Saturday (Sweden, Iceland, Norway, Lithuania), which leaves 9 more internally selected songs to be revealed (Serbia, Montenegro, Russia, Macedonia, Ireland, San Marino, Bulgaria, Armenia, Azerbaijan).
Good job israel , so far the best song and the most beautiful singer this year..israel is my winner:)
The official video : https://youtu.be/XDURs6wwxJM
It’s good. Well done Israel.
I hope it goes well live.
Is anyone else concerned that we have 4 days to go before the submission deadline, and there are still 12 countries yet to complete their entries? (Yes, TWELVE!)
Israel is in the running that’s for certain, i am getting the same vibe like Amir last year. It’s up tempo and it’s sounds very much on trend.
I am expecting something spectacular on stage in May. This will stand out for sure. I am predicting a good result for Imri with “I Feel Alive”.Thumbs up from me!
It sounds very generic and Sakis Rouva-ish, but I still enjoy it.
I expected a lot and I’m really happy with the result. It might just be a tad too generic, but whatever. Will definitely go through.
I could totally see this close the semi.
Nice one ISRAEL. Happy, catchy and light song. Will appeal to young audience and youth. Top 10 material with fun and crazy staging (like in 2015).
BTW- last time Israel sang “alive” in Eurovision they came 2nd…
Good luck from Hungary.
It’s in the same category as Greece but is probably a better entry. I think it’ll qualify as it’s in the easier semi-final and there isn’t anything bad per se, there just isn’t anything good either. People complain about ballads being boring but it’s this type of generic dance-pop that bores me.
Eurotrash and I love it!
@JustMe – Yes, but also “Shape Of You” and many more “catchy & not original” songs. So that makes them bad? no. What makes something bas is to trying to much to make somethins original – when its clearly sounds wired and not listenable.
I don’t like ballads, I prefer fast songs with good vibes. But fast songs are so cheesy this year. Israel, Greece, Moldova, Romania.. Sounds like a very cheap disco from the eastern europe. Last years were better.
I love eurodance but this feels generic, dated and basic. Dangerous move from Israel after two years with solid entries.
Alison@ Anaconda, Nicki Minaj (a song about her ass) was number two on Billboard. Mainstream doesn’t mean good, especially in 2017.
MY top 30:
now with BELGIUM AND ISRAEL
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3XbkqDT4jo
How can someone said about it “euro trash”? its mainstream song that can easly be in Billaboard (US). Stop wining and go listen to one more ballad.
YAAAAAAASSSSS FINALY A GOOD SONG!!!!!!!
Meh. Mediocre and eurotrash.
Some people say that the song is going to stand up because is not a ballad, but Israel is in the second semi final with Austria, Denmark, Hungary, Romania, Belarus, Croatia and Switzerland, countries whose songs stand up, Israel might get lost, not to mention Russia, Serbia, Bulgaria and Norway. Who knows if Israel will manage to go in final.
This is the best song so far in 2017 contest! Catchy, good vibes and very good vocals.
Actually, on the first couple listens, it’s pretty good. I really enjoy the ethnic style and instrumentation in the bridge. Also, has peaks and valleys, despite being a somewhat typical Eurodance genre. I think this grabbed a spot in my top 10. Will likely make the final, and finish at or near top 10. Thanks, Israel, for bring something more uptempo, but not unoriginal, boring or dated! 😀
It’s an okay-ish song to play in the background, nothing special in any way.
Seriously though, who leaks all these songs? I only wish for the songs of those countries that think they must wait until after the submission deadline to release their entry to be released. At some point, you just wanna be done with the whole thing, right? Dragging it out unnecessarily long makes me dislike those entries before having even heard them. And when it turns out that those countries have nothing better than an entry like ‘I feel alive’, one kinda feels fooled by those broadcasters.
Its a good song. Good enough to qualify for the finals. He seems a good guy, and with good staging and a little bit of luck he
will come out like a champ. Israel stands always alone in the Eurovision, hoping for a good vibes for IMRI. A LOT OF Good luck. And hoping for him to enjoy it and to remember to have fun.
BTW, he looks too good to finish below the 10 place, he has the girls and gays votes…dont you think?(:
Uptempo euro rubbish that will scream way too loud and way too often in very Summer Gay pride this year … starting with the first of all those Prides … Eurovision .. Israel messing with the LGBT fans in such a cheap way … but … what else is new anyway? The guy is hot, right … that seems to be enough for those fans.
Nice, I like it!
Sounds so cheap and his vocals are not not impressive.
It’s an acceptable dance track, nothing groundbraking but enjoyable none the less. It’s got nothing on Golden Boy, but it’s leagues ahead of Greece.
You can tell even from the studio version his voice is not the best, so that falsetto has the potential to be tragic live.
the chorus and final parts are great but they need to improve the rest little bit, it could be better. anyways, after hearing the rest of the songs i think this should be in the top 10. not a winner but with very good performance it can surprise. cheers israel
Only stands out because of the manny ballads this year…nothing special!
A cliche song. Also the part before refrain (“Breaking me in pieces”) MUST change!Its reaally get on my nerves
It’s somehow Ok. But as dance track nor even as good as LATVIA. Latvia as Quality. Even Moldova has yhe X factor wirh the epic sax the good voice anda the dance coreography. This is Bubble Gum… So for me: 1st – France – c’est la france, la nouvelle France en music 2nd – Latvia – When You draw the LINE – GOOOOOOOD 3rd – Hungary – The Best ethinic vibe – could be on a Buddha Bar album 4th – Belgium – OMG – Her voice and electro sound 5th – My country – Portugal – This is quality… Read more »
This is great. I think it will be even better live when we can truly hear the change in the vocals. Israel keeps bringing quality! Good Luck Imri ????
Well, Israel never disappoints. Definitely in my top 3.
great entry. cant wait to see the video with imri ?___?
WINNER
12 points from RUSSIA
OMG how can someone can not liked it?? it’s amazing!!
Pff excuse me? If you don’t want more ballads and complain about every pop song being a letdown, what do you want then?
Since when are Eurovision fans this strict?
This is a good song, just like most other songs.